Daniel Bratcher for Buchanan Town Council
I am running for Buchanan Town Council to place our community first through the following:
- Listen openly to the concerns of our community members
- Work to preserve the character of our town
- Protect local property rights and values through existing zoning enforcement
- Promote tourism as an economic resource for town prosperity
- Increase visibility in Town Hall and provide greater service to residents
- Work with vacant commercial property owners to attract businesses
- Work to improve our town; farmer’s market, full-service grocery, pharmacy, etc.
- Improve quality of life by creating new parks, trails and recreation options
- Review the fiscal management and environmental compliance of all town-owned properties and when necessary, consider revisions to current expenditures and agreements to ensure the best value for town residents
- Examine taxpayer concerns to ensure all town taxpayers are getting value from their hard-earned tax dollars
It will be a privilege to serve my community as a member of the Buchanan Town Council. I hope the people of Buchanan will find value in my ideas and vote for me so that we can work together to make Buchanan a better place to live, work and play!
Daniel Bratcher
Buchanan Town Council candidate
James Manspile for Buchanan Town Council
Hello, Citizens of Buchanan. I am James Manspile and my reason for running for re-election is as follows:
I would like to remain on council to help with the continuation of information from past councils. Having 2-year terms has led to council turnover. The retention of the facts fades and is often used against current council who has no knowledge of the facts and/or prior resolutions, causing duplicated work for council and staff.
I would like also to remain on council to put your tax dollars to work preserving the current resources of the town and not letting them fall into disrepair.
Additionally, I would like to work on various improvements in town, not just Main Street. We have areas of town that need dusk-to-dawn lighting, especially street intersections.
I would also like to see a comprehensive park pan that utilizes the full potential of the Town Park.
In closing, I would like to say that I am proud to have been able to save the town thousands of dollars through my volunteer work with Public Works and would love to continue to do so.
James “Jamie” Manspile
Buchanan Town Council candidate
Brenda Noszek for Buchanan Town Council
My name is Brenda Noszek and I would like to introduce myself as a candidate for Buchanan’s Town Council. Seven years ago my husband, Tim, and I were looking for our retirement destination. We happened across the lovely little town of Buchanan. We were immediately taken by your sweet hospitality, beautiful mountains and rich history. We had found our retirement destination. Several of our children soon followed. We immediately began volunteering at the theater and many town events. We are members of the Town Improvement Society and the local Moose Lodge.
I am a former business owner as well as a former employee of Spotslvania County Schools. I have over 30 years of experience working with children in different capacities.
I have a strong sense of community and would like to thank all of the wonderful volunteers who give freely of their time and talents to our town. Some of these volunteers live outside of township, but bless us with their businesses, farms, non profits and volunteer with our many events. You are all an important part of this community.
Together we make Buchanan an even better place to live for all generations to come.
Brenda Noszek
Buchanan Town Council candidate
Edith Austin for Buchanan Town Council
I have lived in Buchanan for 63 years, I am running for Town Council, and I would like to think that I can make a difference in the town by listening to the people and seeing what they would like to have in town. I would like to see a pharmacy, a laundromat, and I would like to see the rundown houses be fixed up and more places for the people to live in town.
I think that stores would come in and be in town for more than a year during the tourist time of the year, as the rest of the stores will be here to bring in more revenue. I think we could have a good little town here and I would like to think that I could make a difference in the town for the people in a little town.
Edith Austin
Buchanan Town Council candidate
Sue Way for Mayor of Buchanan
Buchanan has been my family’s home for four generations. Sixteen years ago, I was thrilled to be able to return home.
In my first job as an accident and claims investigator, I developed an important skill: listen to all sides of the story and research the facts before making a decision. That skill has been invaluable throughout my professional life as a litigation paralegal, teacher, computer resource specialist, and Instructional Technology coordinator.
During 30 years in education, I developed department budgets; led committees developing district-wide plans; served as lead math teacher, curriculum coordinator, president of the Shenandoah Valley Technology Consortium, and media liaison.
While I have never held public office before, I believe I have the leadership skills and experience to lead our Town Council as they work hard to meet the needs of our town.
My vision for Buchanan – Provide an open channel of communication between town officials, citizens and business owners. Provide citizens with the services they need and want. Encourage development of new businesses and the success of existing ones. Ensure Buchanan is a wonderful place to live, work, and visit.
M. Sue Way
Buchanan Mayoral candidate
Jonathan T. Simmons for Troutville Town Council
I’m running for Town Council because I believe every citizen has a duty to contribute to the betterment of their community. The Town of Troutville, as an independent government, needs to execute programs and enforce ordinances that benefit its residents. My goal is to bring my passion and experience to the council, helping us address issues and enhance our town.
As a resident, I see numerous opportunities to improve the town and enrich the lives of its citizens and visitors. I also want to safeguard the Town of Troutville’s place in Botetourt County and secure a bright future for us all.
In short, I’m running because I care about the success of my town.
Jonathan T. Simmons
Troutville Town Council candidate
Michael Mansfield for Mayor of Troutville
My name is Michael Mansfield, and I have lived in the Town of Troutville for nine years. After I retired, I thought that I should find a way to give back after an amazing career. I ran as a write- in candidate for the Town Council. After Mayor Horton stepped down, I was asked and accepted an appointment to mayor until December 31, 2024.
I feel that we have much more work to accomplish. I look forward to serving with the Town Council, the community of the Town of Troutville, to move us forward and this is why I am running for mayor of the Town of Troutville.
Michael Mansfield
Troutville Mayoral candidate
Reader responds to Wilhelm letter
According to James Wilhelm (letter in last week’s Herald), Democrats are loathsome creatures, clandestine Commies, anti-religious anti-lifers, enemies of the people of Botetourt and the world. Hmm, sound familiar? What about e pluribus unum, good people on both sides, sisters and brothers with different points of view?
Charlie Finn
Fincastle
Thank you to apple butter fundraiser volunteers
We would like to thank all the people who came out and helped us with making apple butter so that the Town of Fincastle can buy more Christmas lights. This year the volunteers made 65 gallons of apple butter and proceeds average over $2,000!
Specifically, we would like to thank Donnie Booze, Barry Booze, Paul Booze, Bill and Becky Booze, Johnny Booze, Charlotte Sink, Samantha Campbell, Wayne Cunningham, Pat Fennigan, JD Fedor, Clay Fitzgerald, Mark and Marie Tate, Dean and Angela Clemmons, and Patrick Fitzgerald.
Special thanks to Chuckie Price for making the biscuits so we could slop the copper kettle. Thanks to Ben and Gwen Ikenberry for donating all the apples. Thanks to Todd Leonard for helping put the kettle and stirrer together, and Booze’s Flower House for donating the sugar.
If you would like to purchase some apple butter, it is being sold at Claudia Johnson’s Roots Hair Salon and Dustin Ware’s Sprinkel’s Garage. Both are located in Fincastle.
Thank you all.
Henry and Debbie Booze
Fincastle
